Athleisure or Athlazy?
We’ve all come to know and love the athleisure trend – yoga pants, sneakers, comfortable athletic tops that we don’t actually use for athletic purposes…what’s not to love? The problem that arises from the widespread acceptance of athleisure is that it’s almost too lovable, as in we’re literally too comfortable for our own good. As it becomes harder and harder to wear something outside of this ultra-comfortable zone, we must ask ourselves: is athleisure the beginning or end of personal style?
The fashion world has obviously embraced the trend and thrived, making it a multibillion-dollar industry. Lines from Kanye West and Rihanna have exclusively featured athleisure clothing, while Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel paired couture with comfort in his spring 2014 show. More affordable options like Fabletics have popped up, as well, mimicking the exclusively yoga/workout attire of our favorite frontrunner, Lululemon. Stores around the world have started adding workout wear to their collections as fitness has become increasingly fashionable, from Victoria’s Secret to Forever 21. Athleisure has fully infiltrated our clothing system much to the thanks of social media, making it truly a phenomenon across price levels.
So we get that athleisure is comfortable, convenient and affordable – almost like the McDonald’s of fashion (without the overarching stigma of being cheap). But just like any habit, frequent actions become more than just a habit; they become behavior. When I wear yoga pants and tennis shoes to class everyday, it’s difficult to put on jeans and flats for work. It’s just uncomfortable – but that never used to bother me before. Workout wear has spoiled me when it comes to dressing, and I’ve almost become lazier when putting outfits together because I’m so used to only having to choose which t-shirt I feel like wearing.
This brings me to yet another point in the athleisure attack: is athleisure making life so easy that dressing well has become obsolete? And if we no longer have to make as many decisions regarding what we wear on an everyday basis, will athleisure eventually become almost uniform in its modern simplicity? None of us want to be walking around in the all gray unisex outfits of old sci-fi novels!
Not to worry. There is hope in this athleisure equation. As athleisure gains in popularity, perhaps it will become more acceptable as part of office cultures, making work much more comfortable and maybe even fueling more free-flowing creativity. There’s also a growing market for techleisure, AKA athleisure with added technological features that make attire even more modern and convenient – think Apple watches, light-up sneakers, and fabric that is designed to breathe as your body temperature changes.
How, then, does the future look in a world of athleisure? Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perception), the world will continue to value looks and aesthetic. If you want to wear normal if not restrictive clothes, go for it! Beauty has reigned supreme for years and will largely remain in power. But now, there is growing room for functionality and comfort. Perhaps athleisure isn’t destroying our style, but rather changing our perception on what we should live our lives in. After all, if Queen Elizabeth I could rule half-the-world in a corset, just imagine what we could do in yoga pants.
